SDCC’s Severe Weather Team prepares for ‘Beast from the East’
By Mark Keane
A meeting was held by South Dublin County Council’s Severe Weather Assessment Team this morning to assess the potential impact of the expected persistent and heavy snow.
In anticipation of the snow, there are ample supplies of salt in stock for gritting roads and snow ploughs are ready for use when it arrives, according to the council.
For those braving the weather on foot, the council is preparing mini snow ploughs to keep foot paths in critical locations clear.
Availability of shelters for the homeless are also being organised for night and day time use, while the council's out-reach team will be active over the coming days.
“South Dublin County Council staff and crews are actively monitoring the situation both on the ground and in liaison with Met Eireann and the Office of Emergency Planning, other agencies such as the civil defence have also been contacted,” the council said.
Additionally, the ISME has today advised employers to remain vigilant this week due to the possibility of a “red weather warning” being issued. It would be the first red warning issued since Hurricane Ophelia.
Status Orange snow-ice warning
Met Eireann has issued a Status Orange snow-ice warning for Dublin as “exceptionally cold weather will occur this week” due to ‘The Beast from The East’ approaching.
Air temperatures of 0 to minus 5 celsius will occur tonight joined by “widespread sever frost”.
Very cold today. Most areas will stay dry,with sunny spells at first in the west and southwest, but a few snow flurries will develop later along east and northeast coasts. Maximum temperatures 2 to 6°C, in mostly moderate east to southeast winds.
— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) February 26, 2018
Tuesday will see scattered snow showers on Tuesday, with an expected snow accumulation of 4 to 6 centimetres by Wednesday morning.
Snow showers will become more widespread and heavier during the middle of the week.
Those travelling on Wednesday can expect widespread frost and icy conditions, according to Met Eireann.
The South Dublin County council’s emergency number for members of the public seeking assistance in an emergency outside of office hours is 01 4574907.
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